I turned around to see the maid tossing my belongings into the trash can with a brisk efficiency. Soon enough, they would welcome a new mistress into that house.

Fortunately, I had purchased a small apartment before the wedding.

It wasn't grand, but it was my cozy little nest, and I moved in without a second thought.

As I watched the news show Marvin and Sharon enjoying their new life together, a bitter taste rose in my throat. My stomach churned, and I quickly grabbed a couple of tissues, pressing them to my mouth.

After clearing my throat softly, I pulled the tissues away, only to find them stained a deep crimson. It seemed my time was running out.

I pulled the diagnosis from the hospital out of my bag—lung cancer.

It felt absurd.

I had never considered myself a bad person, yet life seemed to have dealt me a cruel hand.

I fought back the urge to let my anger and despair spill over, wobbling unsteadily as I stood up and headed upstairs. But just a few steps up the staircase, my legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed.

When I came to, my arms and legs were bruised and aching.

Struggling, I managed to get back on my feet and stepped outside, hailing a cab to check on my injuries.